PITTSBURGH — Ryan Clark has a theory on why the Jets didn’t do any of their usual trash-talking heading into today’s AFC Championship at Heinz Field.
“Insulting a team or disrespecting a team is not going to make them throw passes any better. It’s not going to make them execute their game plan any better. But if possible, it will make them hit harder,” the Steelers safety said. “It will make them more physical. When you upset people it doesn’t change the way things work. But it does change their aggressiveness and I don’t think this is the type of team you want to do that to.”
Then Clark added: “I don’t think there would be any advantage in upsetting us because you’re not. You’re not going to bully us. You’re not going to hit us in the mouth and not get hit back. I think the mutual respect has been earned by both teams.”
If the Jets thought the Steelers would be softened by the respect Jets coach Rex Ryan and his normally outspoken players showed during the week, the kind words had about as much affect as the trash talk would have. The Steelers have been trained to be unmoved by what is said out of an opponent’s locker room, whether its tossing flowers or thorns.
“If you talk, we’re not going to talk back,” Steelers receiver Mike Wallace said. “So if you talk, you’re going to just be talking to the walls because we’re not going to entertain it. We’re going to let our swag do the talking. You can tell by the way we walk we mean business.”
The swag is a product of two Super Bowl victories in four seasons. Another Lombardi Trophy this year would be the third in six years and the seventh in franchise history.
It’s a stretch that would be considered a dynasty if the Steelers didn’t already own one of the greatest dynasties of all time. But there is a sense of urgency about making the most of this opportunity. There has been talk this could be the last run for a core of Steelers, who have made this era memorable.
Linebacker James Farrior is in his 14th season; receiver Hines Ward is in his 13th; defensive end Aaron Smith his 12th year; safety Troy Polamalu turns 30 this year and has battled injuries the last two seasons. Even linebacker James Harrison, who is in his eighth season, has threatened to retire if he continues to be fined for his aggressive play.
With the acrimonious collective bargaining negotiations threatening next season, this could be the final chance for these Steelers to grab a third Super Bowl ring. Yet, the shadow of Father Time doesn’t concern them right now as much as the Jets.
“Every year, it’s about this being the last chance for the core,” Ward said. “We’re not going anywhere. We’ve got a great nucleus of veterans guys. Yeah, we’re getting older, but that doesn’t mean next year we can’t do it again. So we don’t get caught up in that.
“That’s the easy thing to say. With the collective bargain agreement, nobody might be playing next year. So we want to seize the moment while we can.”
Farrior said simply: “It’s about the job at hand and what we have in front us at this time.”
What’s in front of them is Ryan and his confident Jets, who make their second straight appearance in the AFC title game, but whose resume pales in comparison to the Steelers, who see this as a chance to add to their historic legacy.
From Chuck Noll to Mike Tomlin; from Bradshaw to Ben; from Franco’s Italian Army to the Terrible Towel; and from Three Rivers to Heinz Field, the Jets will have to overcome all of that today to earn a ticket to Dallas.
The Jets might be a team of destiny, but the Steelers see themselves as the team of dynasties.
george.willis@nypost.com